Opening, Closing Hand Operates Tropical “Electric” Fan (Jul, 1932)

Can someone please explain to me how this is in anyway can be described as “electric”, even with the quotes.

Opening, Closing Hand Operates Tropical “Electric” Fan
INHABITANTS of the tropical countries where electricity is an expensive luxury have developed the little hand-propelled fan which Tallulah Bankhead, movie actress, is seen operating in the photo on the right.

The device consists of a four-bladed propeller fastened on a handle so it can be spun around. A piece of wire is bent, as shown, and attached to handle. Whirling motion of the propeller is produced when wire is pushed back and forth along blades. This action is obtained by flexing and contracting the hand.